That Old Feeling, The Mill at Sonning

Trudie Goodwin (front) is sharing the stage with Shona Lindsay and Glyn Kerslake in That Old Feeling. Picture: Peter Bloodworth

After being on the beat for 24 years, you would think that Trudie Goodwin would want to put her feet up. But the former star of The Bill is putting on her dancing shoes for the world-premiere of a new feel-good musical comedy which starts this week.

That Old Feeling, written by Richard Harris, launches at The Mill at Sonning tonight and sees Trudie face the music and dance across the stage.

The play focuses on two widowed friends who join a dance club, only to find romance and laughter awaiting them – even if they insist it’s not what they’re looking for. Topped with a score written by Denis King – composer of classic TV theme tunes including Black Beauty, Lovejoy, Dick Turpin and Worzel Gummidge – it promises to be a classic Mill at Sonning production.

On a sunny autumn afternoon watching the River Thames gentle saunter by the Mill, Trudie revealed that she’s been enjoying the rehearsal period ahead of the play.

“It’s my first time here and everyone is so friendly and made me very welcome. Coming out here from London is a breath of fresh air,” the 57-year-old says.

Her journeys to and from her London home haven’t been wasted, as the star of the show has been busy rehearsing her musical numbers en route.

“I’ve got about five songs in this,” she reveals, “and I haven’t done any singing for about 30 years. It’s a steep learning curve and it’s exactly why I wanted to do it.

“I’d played the same character [in The Bill] for such a long time that I long to break out and do things that are very different – completely different.”

And playing a ballroom dancing fan is far cry from pounding the streets around Sun Hill police station.

“It does put you on the line,” she admits, “but that’s what I wanted to do.”

She admits that she’s no ballroom dancer and avoided watching Strictly Come Dancing lest it should put her off, as she’s learning not just to dance, but also to sing at the same time.

“It’s difficult to do both,” she confesses.

It’s clear that Trudie has been relishing the challenge and is looking forward to sharing the laughter with the audience tonight. “It’s a lovely, lovely musical,” she says. “And you’ll see a completely different side to me.”

So as she puts her best foot forward tonight, she hopes that you go slow, slow, quick, quick, slow to The Mill and catch her in action. It’ll be an arresting performance.